No more town gas in Frederiksberg from 2030

The decision to shut off the town gas is based on a comprehensive survey and a wish to exercise constant care.

Unlike the other utilities provided by Frederiksberg Forsyning, time is running out for town gas. It was widespread from the 1860s to the mid-20th century and used for heating, streetlamps and lighting and cooking in the homes of Frederiksberg. Today, town gas is mainly used for cooking in private homes, and their use of town gas is limited. In fact, it has been reduced by 97 per cent since its heyday. In recent decades, more and more private homes and businesses in Frederiksberg have replaced town gas cookers with electric cookers.

Number of town gas customers has dropped significantly

As the number of customers continues to drop year after year, so does the sale of town gas in Frederiksberg. The number of customers has dropped by just under 20 per cent since 2018. In 2023, for instance, 576 customers terminated their subscription, and we expect the trend to continue.

Therefore, Frederiksberg Forsyning launched a comprehensive survey last year focussing on the future of town gas in Frederiksberg. Based on the results of the survey, we have decided to stop offering town gas from 2030.

“The plan is to stop providing town gas from 2030, which means that our customers will have time to find an alternative,” says Managing Director of Frederiksberg Forsyning Henrik Bay and adds:

“Some of our customers prefer town gas cookers – but each year, they grow fewer and fewer in number, and this means that the gas company is no longer profitable. There is no doubt that shutting off the town gas will inconvenience the customers who prefer this solution.”

In the years to come, town gas customers will have to find and pay for an alternative solution. Henrik Bay stresses that they will be informed as early as possible, and that Frederiksberg Forsyning will provide them with the necessary information and be ready to answer questions.

The survey looked at the consequences of continuing to provide town gas and of shutting off the town gas in part or completely. Completely shutting off the town gas turned out to be the only viable solution.

If Frederiksberg Forsyning was to continue to provide town gas, the entire distribution system would have to undergo extensive renovation, which would mean digging up a large number of streets in Frederiksberg. Such renovation would cost a lot of money, and it would be reflected in town gas customers’ bills.

“The decision to shut off the town gas is based on a wish to exercise constant care and to continue to run a healthy, well-trimmed utility company in the future,” say Henrik Bay.

Price rise in 2025

Beginning in 2025, the yearly price of a gas subscription will increase by around DKK 550 incl. VAT. Frederiksberg Forsyning expects the price to remain more or less unchanged up until 2030. The 2025 price rise will help pay for the shutdown, as the bill is thus divided between the existing customers. Frederiksberg Forsyning can neither make money nor lose money on gas customers – this is what is called the principle of self-containment.

Fact box

• For practical reasons, we will shut off the gas in one area at a time, starting with the first area in early 2030 and continuing until the gas has been shut off in all areas by the end of 2030.
• Town gas customers will receive a letter of termination two years before we shut off the gas.
• The yearly price of a gas subscription will increase from around DKK 1,400 to around DKK 1,950 incl. VAT for private customers.
• Frederiksberg Forsyning may have to shut off the town gas in specific areas before 2030. If e.g. Frederiksberg Forsyning is asked to remove a gas pipe to make room for new facilities, then the gas pipe will not be rerouted.